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The Lifeguard Workshop is a free online learning module with a video, curriculum, and teacher resources for middle school and high school classrooms.

The Trevor Project’s Trainings for Professionals include in-person Ally and CARE trainings designed for adults who work with youth. These trainings help counselors, educators, administrators, school nurses, and social workers discuss LGBTQ-competent suicide prevention.

About The Trevor Project

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13–24.

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As a 501(c)3 non-profit, The Trevor Project relies on the generosity of friends to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth have a safe place to turn in times of crisis.

GET HELP

Education

The Lifeguard Workshop is a free online learning module with a video, curriculum, and teacher resources for middle school and high school classrooms.

The Trevor Project’s Trainings for Professionals include in-person Ally and CARE trainings designed for adults who work with youth. These trainings help counselors, educators, administrators, school nurses, and social workers discuss LGBTQ-competent suicide prevention.

About The Trevor Project

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13–24.

Blogs & Events

Donate

As a 501(c)3 non-profit, The Trevor Project relies on the generosity of friends to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth have a safe place to turn in times of crisis.

Gay + Lesbian

September 2, 2017

Gay and lesbian people are unique individuals, just like everyone else.

Gay is an adjective that describe people who are physically, romantically, emotionally and/or spiritually attracted to other people of the same gender. In the past, “gay” specifically referred to men who are attracted to men. Now, it is common for “gay” to be used by anyone who is attracted to their same gender. It’s all up to you and which word fits you the best.

Avoid saying: “That person is a gay.” (This uses “gay” as a noun, which doesn’t work.)

Lesbian is a noun that describes women who are predominantly attracted to other women. It can also be used as an adjective. Some lesbian women prefer to identify as “gay,” and that’s ok.

Example (Noun): “After school, I came out to my parents as a lesbian.”
Example (Adjective): “After coming out, I researched lesbian women from our history.”

No one knows for sure what makes a person straight, gay, lesbian, or even bisexual or transgender. There are many theories (biology, environment, personal experiences, etc.) but we know that there isn’t just one cause. Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to know that all orientations and identities are normal. They’re just a part of who we are!

FAQ

Is it true that I have to have sex with someone of the same gender to know that I’m gay?

Are all gay men are effeminate and are all lesbian women masculine?

I feel like gay people only work in certain types of professions. Is that true?

Can gay people have stable romantic relationships?

Question:1. Is it true that I have to have sex with someone of the same gender to know that I’m gay?Answer:Absolutely not! A person doesn’t need to have a physical experience with someone else to understand who they’re attracted to. In fact, sexual orientation describes way more than physical attraction – it includes our romantic, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual attraction to other people, too. Think about the crushes you’ve had, and who you fantasize about being with: girls, boys, both, or maybe other genders or sexes. Your feelings may or may not change as time goes by and you experience new things, and that is completely okay. Whatever you decide is true for you! No one besides you can decide how you identify.Question:2. Are all gay men are effeminate and are all lesbian women masculine?

Answer:
Our sexual orientation is actually very different from our gender expression. The first one has to do with who we’re attracted to, and the second has to do with how we express our gender (like being feminine or masculine, or somewhere in between). Although it can sometimes seem like one type of gay person is shown over and over again in the media or on TV, gay people aren’t automatically effeminate, and lesbian women aren’t automatically masculine – in fact, those stereotypes leave out a lot of other personalities and characteristics. Gay and lesbian people are unique individuals, just like everyone else, and can express themselves in an infinite number of ways! There’s no wrong way to be gay or lesbian. To learn more about gender identity and gender expression, please visit our Trans* and Gender Identity page.

Question:3. I feel like gay and lesbian people only work in certain types of professions. Is that true?

Answer:
Actually, you can find gay and lesbian people in all different types of professions! Certain stereotypes offer a limited view on what gay and lesbian people do for work. For example, not all gay men are interested in fashion, theatre, or the arts. Likewise, not all lesbian women are interested in teaching sports, doing construction work, or becoming an athlete. While there may be some jobs that tend to have more gay or lesbian people in them than others, it often has to do with the cultural acceptance they might find in that particular field. Everyone wants to work at an accepting place, and some professions are just ahead of the curve. As society becomes more open and accepting, hopefully people will feel more freedom to follow their interests and explore a wider range of employment possibilities.

Question:4. Can gay people have stable romantic relationships?

Answer:
Absolutely! There is no inherent reason why gay or lesbian couples would be unable to have a stable romantic relationship. Just like straight couples, people in same-sex relationships have ups-and-downs, break-ups, and make-ups. However, since marriage is still illegal for same-sex couples in many states, gay and lesbian relationships have less support from society. With that said, some LGBTQ people reject the idea of marriage, since it is historically tied to heterosexual (straight) couples, and choose to construct their own values and relationship styles. Whatever makes you feel happy and fulfilled is the best way to go!

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